The Scornful Lady Part 1

The Scornful Lady.

by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher.

Persons Represented in the Play.

_Elder_ Loveless, _a Sutor to the Lady_.

_Young_ Loveless, _a Prodigal_.

Savil, _Steward to Elder_ Loveless.

Lady _and_ ) Martha, )_Two Sisters_.

Younglove, _or_ Abigal, _a waiting Gentlewoman_.

Welford, _a Sutor to the Lady_.

_Sir_ Roger, _Curate to the Lady_.

(Captain ) (Travailer ) _Hangers on to Young_ Loveless.

(Poet ) (Tabaco-man ) _Wenches_.

_Fidlers_.

Morecraft, _an Usurer_.

_A Rich Widow_.

_Attendants_.

Actus primus. Scena prima.

_Enter the two_ Lovelesses, Savil _the Steward, and a Page_.

_Elder Love_. Brother, is your last hope past to mollifie _Morecrafts_ heart about your Morgage?

_Young Love_. Hopelesly past: I have presented the Usurer with a richer draught than ever _Cleopatra_ swallowed; he hath suckt in ten thousand pounds worth of my Land, more than he paid for at a gulp, without Trumpets.

_El. Lo_. I have as hard a task to perform in this house.

_Yo. Lo._ Faith mine was to make an Usurer honest, or to lose my Land.

_El. Lo._ And mine is to perswade a pa.s.sionate woman, or to leave the Land. Make the boat stay, I fear I shall begin my unfortunate journey this night, though the darkness of the night and the roughness of the waters might easily disswade an unwilling man.

_Savil._ Sir, your Fathers old friends hold it the sounder course for your body and estate to stay at home and marry, and propagate and govern in our Country, than to Travel and die without issue.

_El. Lo._ _Savil_, you shall gain the opinion of a better servant, in seeking to execute, not alter my will, howsoever my intents succeed.

_Yo. Lo._ Yonder's Mistres _Younglove_, Brother, the grave rubber of your Mistresses toes.

_Enter Mistres_ Younglove _the waiting woman._

_El. Lo._ Mistres _Younglove_.

_Young._ Master _Loveless_, truly we thought your sails had been hoist: my Mistres is perswaded you are Sea-sick ere this.

_El. Lo._ Loves she her ill taken up resolution so dearly? Didst thou move her from me?

_Young_. By this light that s.h.i.+nes, there's no removing her, if she get a stiffe opinion by the end. I attempted her to day when they say a woman can deny nothing.

_El. Lo_. What critical minute was that?

_Young_. When her smock was over her ears: but she was no more pliant than if it hung about her heels.

_El. Lo_. I prethee deliver my service, and say, I desire to see the dear cause of my banishment; and then for _France_.

_Young_. I'le do't: hark hither, is that your Brother?

_El. Lo_. Yes, have you lost your memory?

_Young_. As I live he's a pretty fellow. [_Exit._

_Yo. Lo_. O this is a sweet _Brache_.

_El. Lo_. Why she knows not you.

_Yo. Lo_. No, but she offered me once to know her: to this day she loves youth of Eighteen; she heard a tale how _Cupid_ struck her in love with a great Lord in the Tilt-yard, but he never saw her; yet she in kindness would needs wear a Willow-garland at his Wedding. She lov'd all the Players in the last Queens time once over: she was struck when they acted Lovers, and forsook some when they plaid Murthers. She has nine _Spur-royals_, and the servants say she h.o.a.rds old gold; and she her self p.r.o.nounces angerly, that the Farmers eldest son, or her Mistres Husbands Clerk shall be, that Marries her, shall make her a joynture of fourscore pounds a year; she tells tales of the serving-men.

_El. Lo._ Enough, I know her Brother. I shall intreat you only to salute my Mistres, and take leave, we'l part at the Stairs.

_Enter Lady and waiting women._

_Lady._ Now Sir, this first part of your will is performed: what's the rest?

_El. Lo._ First, let me beg your notice for this Gentleman my Brother.

_Lady._ I shall take it as a favour done to me, though the Gentleman hath received but an untimely grace from you, yet my charitable disposition would have been ready to have done him freer courtesies as a stranger, than upon those cold commendations.

_Yo. Lo._ Lady, my salutations crave acquaintance and leave at once.

_Lady._ Sir I hope you are the master of your own occasions.

[_Exit Yo. Lo. and Savil._

_El. Lo._ Would I were so. Mistris, for me to praise over again that worth, which all the world, and you your self can see.

_Lady._ It's a cold room this, Servant.

_El. Lo._ Mistris.

_La._ What think you if I have a Chimney for't, out here?

_El. Lo._ Mistris, another in my place, that were not tyed to believe all your actions just, would apprehend himself wrong'd: But I whose vertues are constancy and obedience.

_La._ _Younglove_, make a good fire above to warm me after my servants _Exordiums_.